Hi there,

I'm recovering from a front end mishap, and trying to replace my two bumper pistons. (...if that's what they're called, you know what I mean) I've removed the two obvious bolts on each one up front, after removing the bumper, but I seem to be missing something in the engine compartment still holding them in there. I've looked everwhere, removed a couple random nuts (about halfway back) but they seem to be loosely anchored internally.

Anyone else replaced these lately?

thanks,
Michael

I had trouble getting the front bumper off of one of my 740s. The bolt in the rear of the insert was hidden on the left side (driver) about 10 inches into the frame. I finally got the nut off and lifted the front of the bumper up to clear the studs in the rear. It slid right out.

Regards,
--
Will Dallas, www.willdallas.us, www.willdallas.org, 86 245 DL 205K miles, 93 940 250K miles, 88 765 GLE 149K miles, 87 745 , 86 244 DL 200K Miles

It should be a matter of the two through bolts up front and one 10 mm nut on the top of the frame rail that you access through the engine compartment. Tip the front of the bumper shock up and this should allow the 6mm stud that the nut screws on to drop down and out of the hole and then you should be able to pull it forward. Often times in the case of a front end collision it will damage the end of the frame where the bumper shocks go and cause it to be a real bear to get them out. Is the metal around the bumper shocks crinkled and distorted? If so this may be your problem.

Mark

Thanks Mark,

I think I removed the 10mm nut you spoke of, but I didn't try tipping the shock up. The left front frame piece is bent a bit, but I don't think it's binding on the shock. How long are those things? I'll try tipping tomorrow.

Another thing... a mechanic friend of mine is suggesting that I heat up the frame piece where it bent, insert a long bar and try to bend it back. It's a pretty slight bend, maybe 1/2" or so from the norm, but it probably will affect where the bumper lines up to the rest of the trim. Has anyone done this? I'm not thrilled about firing up an acetelene torch in the engine compartment.

-Michael

The bumper shocks are probably 12-16 inches long. You can try heating it up and bending it just make sure that you have a gallon jug or two or water handy. Your only other option is to put it on the frame machine and have it pulled out straight. The last car I had to send out to have pulled for that very thing set me back $250.00. I thought it was on the step side, especially considering I am in the industry and all, but that was what he wanted and I have been dealing with him for years. I would imagine that there is a minimum charge to put anything on the frame machine and that is all there is to that. You are right in that it will most definitely effect where everything lines up and getting it done right is not going to be cheap. You know the saying, "you can have it cheap, fast, or good. Pick any two"

Mark